Electrical connectors

ABSTRACT

An electrical connector is disclosed which includes a dielectric housing with passages for receiving a plurality of signal terminals. A common ground member is disposed in the dielectric housing with portions thereof disposed between the individual signal terminals. The ground member has a passage for receiving a ground terminal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectorsand, particularly, to a hybrid electrical connector for accommodatingboth high frequency transmission as well as lower frequencytransmissions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrical connectors are used to interconnect signal transmission linesto printed circuit boards, other electronic devices or to othercomplementary connectors. The transmission lines transmit signalsthrough a plurality of conductors which, preferably, are physicallyseparated and electromagnetically isolated along their length.

In the electronics industry, particularly the computer industry, thepredominant system embodies a plurality of plug-in type connectors inmating engagement with receptacle connectors on the computer, its mainprinted circuit board or other electronic devices. The transmissionlines typically include coaxial electrical cables, either in round orflat form, and round cables are presently being used predominantly inrelatively high frequency applications between various systemcomponents.

Classical coaxial designs derive their characteristic impedance from thegeometrical relationship between the inner signal conductors and theouter shield member and the intervening dielectric constant. For a givenimpedance, signal conductor size and dielectric material, an overalloutside dimension is defined. In order to increase signal density andreduce the overall outside dimensions of a transmission line connectorsystem, alternate geometries and/or dielectric materials are required.

For data processing purposes, cables usually utilize twisted pairs ofconductors to achieve the necessary characteristics, particularlyimpedance control and cross talk control. Coaxial cables are used insingular conductor configuration in high frequency applications, such asto a high-speed video monitor. Most often, the lower speed datatransmission lines are separated from the high speed signal transmissionlines. Consequently, different electrical connectors are often used forthe lower speed data transmission lines than for the high speed signallines. This adds to the problem of requiring multiple connectors inever-increasing miniaturized and high density applications. Thisinvention is directed to solving such problems by providing anelectrical connector which terminates both high speed signaltransmission lines and the slower data transmission lines in a uniquemanner providing a common ground for the signal transmission lines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improvedsystem, as well as an electrical connector, for interconnecting signaltransmission lines in electronic devices, such as computers or the like.

According to an aspect of the invention, an electrical connector isprovided as an interface between a plurality of high speed transmissionlines and an electronic device, particularly a printed circuit board ofthe device. The connector includes a common ground system for all of thehigh frequency conductors to reduce the number of interconnectionspredominant in the prior art and to increase signal density whilemaintaining a desired impedance level. As disclosed herein, theinterconnection with the high frequency conductors is combined withterminals for interconnection to a plurality of slower data transmissionlines to create a matrix-type hybrid connector.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The feature of this invention which are believed to be novel are setforth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, togetherwith its objects and the advantages thereof, may be best understood byreference to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify likeelements in the figures and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a connection embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the insulators used in the connector ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section through one of the insulators shown in FIG.2, namely the bottom right-hand insulator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 3, with a contactloaded into the insulator;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken generally along line 5--5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmented elevational view of an alternate embodiment ofthe invention in comparison to that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the housing utilized in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tail aligner that could be utilizedwith the housing of FIG. 7 or the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a ground member utilized in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another alternative embodiment ofthe invention as compared to FIG. 6; and

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a further embodiment of the inventionin comparison to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and first to FIG. 1, theinvention contemplates a hybrid electrical connector that terminatesboth the conductors for data transmission lines and the conductors fordata transmission lines and the conductors of high frequencytransmission lines. More particularly, electrical connector 10, includesreceptacle portion 12 having contact portions 14 of a plurality ofterminals mounted therein exposed for engagement with appropriatecontacts of a complementary mating male or plug-in connector. Theleft-hand portion or section of electrical connector 10 shown in FIG. 1forms a standard data connector. However, the right-hand portion orsection of connector 10 provides a high frequency connector.

Still referring to FIG. 1, connector 10 includes a dielectric housing 16surrounded by a conductive shield 18 which spans substantially theentire length of the connector. An alternate embodiment of the housingis shown in FIG. 7. A single or common ground member 20 of die-castmetal material, or the like, surrounds four quadrants which are filledby separate insulator members 22. Each insulator member 22 has a passage24 for receiving signal contacts or terminals 26. Such passage 24 can bepositioned within insulator 22 and with respect to ground member 20 inorder to provide controlled impedance. Ground member 20 has a centralcircular portion 28 surrounding a passage 30 for receiving a groundcontact or terminal 32. Ground member 20 is shaped to have spokes orwebs 34 dividing the interior of the ground member into the quadrants.Therefore, it can be seen in FIG. 1 that all of signal contacts 26 andground contact 32 are surrounded by the single ground member 20. This isin striking contrast to prior systems wherein typical coaxial interfacedesigns use separate or discrete ground connections which consume aconsiderable amount of space and require separate terminations. With thesingle ground member 20 surrounding all of the contacts, a common groundplane is provided to control impedance, emissions of radiation and crosstalk between the contacts.

FIG. 2 shows all four insulators 22 in a perspective depiction as theyare located within ground member 20. FIG. 3 shows a section through oneof the insulators 22 to illustrate the configuration of passage 24therethrough. It can be seen that the passage has an entry end 40 forreceiving a contact of a complementary connector, a back wall 42, athrough passage portion 44 and a shoulder 46.

With the above-described configuration of the interior passages of eachinsulator 22 in relation to FIG. 3, reference is made to FIGS. 4 and 5wherein a signal contact, generally designated 26, is shown positionedin passages 24. Each contact 26 includes a contact end 50 and a soldertail end 52. The contact end is disposed in passage 24 and the soldertail is provided for interconnection to a circuit trace on a printedcircuit board as is known in the art. Contact end 50 is fabricated by aplurality of contact spring arms which are "crowned" for high hertzianinterfacing with a receptacle-contact of the complementary connector.

Each contact 26 is securely locked into position within its respectiveinsulator 22 by means of a base portion 54 of the contact engaging backwall 42 of the insulator, and the base portion is provided with alocking barb 56 for snapping behind shoulder 46 of its insulator. Inassembly of contacts 26 into insulators 22, solder tail portion 52initially extends parallel to the axis of the contact end 50 so that thecontacts can be loaded into insulators 22 in the direction of arrows "A"in FIG. 5. When base portions 54 of the contacts engage back walls 42 ofthe insulators, locking barbs 56 snap behind shoulders 44 of theinsulators. Solder tails 52 then are bend downwardly as shown in FIGS. 4and 5.

FIG. 5 also shown the positioning of shield 18 and how it surroundshousing 16 and common ground member 20. Shield 18 includes lockingprojections 59 which extend through openings 60 (FIG. 7) in thedielectric housing 16, openings 62 (FIG. 9) in the die cast groundmember 20 and through an opening in back cover shielding member 64,which is made from a conductive material. These components aredimensioned so that the shield 18, ground member 20 and back cover 64are mechanically and electrically secured to complete the ground circuitbetween them. Back cover 64 covers and shields the rear portion of theconnector and the tail portions of the terminals.

Solder tail portions 52 are shown extending through passages in tailaligner 66. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, the solder tail portions 52of the terminals 62 have three different lengths. The longest soldertails are connected to the upper terminals 26 and extend through holes68 in the tail aligner. The shortest solder tails are connected to thelower terminals 26 and extend through holes 70 in the tail aligner. Thesolder tail of ground terminal 32 has a length between those of theupper terminals and lower terminals and extend through hole 72 in thetail aligner. In order to compensate for the resulting difference inpath lengths, the tail aligner (FIGS. 5 and 8) may include steppedportion 67. The stepped tail aligner 66 is dimensioned so as to balancethe impedance of each line to a desired value.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate form of the invention in regard to theright-hand end or high frequency portion of electrical connector 10described in relation to and in comparison to FIG. 1. In FIG. 6, theconnector is designated 10' and like numerals have been applied todesignate like components in comparison to the embodiment of FIG. 3.Similar but not identical components are designated with a "'".

More particularly, electrical connector 10' also includes a commonground member, generally designated 20' for surrounding ground contact32 and electrically isolating contacts 26. Again, ground member 20'provides a common ground plane to control impedance, emissions ofradiation and cross-talk between the contacts. In this embodiment, itcan be seen that the separate insulators 58 of the embodiment of FIG. 1have been eliminated, and main dielectric housing 16' extends entirelyabout the signal contacts. The housing 16' is shown isolated in FIG. 7.The housing has passages for 74 for receiving the signal contacts 26.The interior of the passages may be similar to the configuration ofpassages 24 (FIG. 3) in insulators 22.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, common ground member 20' includes a centralcircular portion 28 (FIG. 9) surrounding ground contact 32, and fourspoke portions 34 radiate outwardly from circular portion 28 betweensignal contacts 26. As seen in FIG. 7, housing 16 has internal passagemeans 76 of a shape corresponding to the cross-section of the spokedportion of common ground member 20'. Although the ground member 20' inthe embodiment of FIG. 6 does not completely surround signal contacts 26as does ground member 20 (FIG. 1), the ground member 20' is the closestconductor to each signal terminal 26 and therefore acts as the primaryground reference in order to control the impedance. It further isolateseach of the signal contacts from the other signal contacts. In addition,this embodiment has the advantage of using main housing 16' as theinsulating means surrounding the signal contacts 26 which simplifies theassembly of the conductor. It should be understood that in manyapplications, only three signal contacts 26 would be provided, such asthe "red", "green" and "blue" signals to a video monitor. The passage inthe fourth quadrant, for such applications, could be provided for otherfunctions, such as a keying receptacle 80 (FIG. 10). Such passage couldeither be formed in the ground member 20' or in the dielectric housing16'. A plug (not shown) dimensioned to mate only with the keyingreceptacle is provided on the connector that mates with connector 10'.

FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein anelectrical connector 10" (corresponding to connectors 10 and 10') hasthe three high frequency signal contacts arranged in a verticallystacked array. Each contact is surrounded by a cylindrical insulator 82which, in turn, is surrounded by a common conductive ground member 84corresponding in function to the ground members 20 and 20' in theembodiments of FIGS. 1 and 8, respectively. It can be seen that noseparate ground contact (32 in FIGS. 1 and 6) is incorporated in thisembodiment.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that connectors 10,10' and 10" will be utilized with similarly configured male connectorswhich are not described herein.

It will further be understood that the invention may be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the spirit or centralcharacteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein.

We claim: .[.
 1. In a shielded electrical connector for mating withanother electrical connector along a mating axis, said shieldedconnector having dielectric housing, an outer conductive shield membergenerally surrounding a mating portion of said housing, a plurality ofterminal receiving openings in said housing for receiving terminalstherein, and a plurality of terminals positioned in said openings,wherein the improvement comprises:a one-piece common conductive groundmember mounted to said housing with portions of the ground memberdisposed between the individual terminals; and access means in saidhousing for permitting insertion of said one-piece ground member throughan outer surface of said housing..].
 2. .[.The.]. .Iadd.In a shielded.Iaddend.electrical connector .[.of claim 1 wherein.]. .Iadd.for matingwith another electrical connector along a mating axis, said shieldedconnector having a dielectric housing, an outer conductive shield membergenerally surrounding a mating portion of said housing, a plurality ofterminal receiving openings in said housing for receiving terminalstherein, and a plurality of terminals positioned in said openings,wherein the improvement comprises:a one-piece common conductive groundmember mounted to said housing with portions of the ground memberdisposed between the individual terminals, .Iaddend.said common groundmember .[.includes.]. .Iadd.including .Iaddend.a portion thereof havingpassage means therethrough for receiving and surrounding a groundterminal.Iadd.; and access means in said housing for permittinginsertion of said one-piece ground member through an outer surface ofsaid housing.Iaddend..
 3. The electrical connector of claim 2 whereinsaid portion of the common ground member for receiving the groundterminal is located centrally of the common ground member.
 4. Theelectrical connector of claim 3 wherein said common ground memberincludes a plurality of spoke-like portions radiating outwardly of theground terminal and disposed between respective adjacent ones of the.[.signal.]. terminals.
 5. The electrical connector of claim 4 whereinsaid common ground member has peripheral portions joining the distalends of the spoke-like portions whereby the common ground membersurrounds each of the .[.signal.]. terminals.
 6. The electricalconnector of claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.21 .Iaddend.wherein a portion of saidhousing is a unitary piece and said access means permits insertion ofsaid .[.one-piece ground member.]. .Iadd.shielding means .Iaddend.alongan axis generally parallel to said mating axis and into said unitarypiece. .[.
 7. The electrical connector of claim 6 wherein said commonground member includes a portion thereof having passage meanstherethrough for receiving and surrounding a ground terminal..]. .[.8.The electrical connector of claim 7 wherein said portion of the commonground member for receiving the ground terminal is located centrally ofthe common ground member..]. .[.9. The electrical connector of claim 8wherein said common ground member includes a plurality of spoke-likeportions radiating outwardly of the ground terminal and disposed betweenrespective adjacent ones of the signal contacts..]. .[.10. Theelectrical connector of claim 9 wherein said common ground member hasperipheral portions joining the distal ends of the spoke-like portionswhereby the common ground member surrounds each of the signalcontacts..]. .[.11. The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein saidouter conductive shield member is mechanically and electricallyconnected to said conductive ground member..]. .[.12. The electricalconnector of claim 11 further comprising staking means for mechanicallyand electrically securing the conductive ground member to the outershield member..].
 13. In a generally rectangular, shielded electricalconnector for mating with another electrical connector along a matingaxis, said shielded connector including a dielectric housing having amating face generally perpendicular to said mating axis and a faceopposite said mating face, an outer conductive shield member generallysurrounding a region of said housing for mating with said anotherelectrical connector, a first portion of said housing having mountedtherein a plurality of first terminals in a first given array forinterconnection with a plurality of first terminals of said anotherelectrical connector, and a second portion of said housing havingmounted therein a plurality of second terminals in a second given arrayfor interconnection with a plurality of second terminals of said anotherelectrical connector, wherein the improvement comprises:a commonconductive ground member mounted to said second portion of said housingwith portions of the ground member disposed between the secondterminals.Iadd., a first portion of said ground member being positionedgenerally equidistantly between an adjacent first two of said secondterminals and radiating outwardly in a first plane that intersects aline extending generally parallel to said mating axis and centrallylocated with respect to said second terminals and a second portion ofsaid ground member being positioned generally equidistantly between anadjacent second two of said second terminals and radiating outwardly ina second plane that intersects said line.Iaddend.; and slot means insaid second portion of said housing extending through one of said facesto permit insertion of said ground member along an axis generallyparallel to said mating axis.
 14. The electrical connector of claim 13wherein said slot means extends between said mating face and saidopposite face. .[.15. The electrical connector of claim 13 wherein saidportions of the ground member are positioned generally equidistantlybetween said second terminals..].
 16. The electrical connector of claim13 wherein said outer conductive shield member is mechanically andelectrically connected to said conductive ground member.
 17. Theelectrical connector of claim 16 further comprising staking means formechanically and electrically securing the conductive ground member tothe outer shield member.
 18. In a generally rectangular, shieldedelectrical connector for mating with another electrical connector alonga mating axis, said shielded connector including a dielectric housinghaving a mating face generally perpendicular to said mating axis and aface opposite said mating face, an outer conductive shield membergenerally surrounding a region of said housing for mating with saidanother electrical connector, a first portion of said housing havingmounted therein a plurality of first terminals in a given array forinterconnection with a plurality of first terminals of said anotherelectrical connector, and a second portion of said housing havingmounted therein a plurality of second terminals in a given array forinterconnection with a plurality of second terminals of said anotherelectrical connector, wherein the improvement comprises:a conductiveground subassembly positioned at said second portion, said groundsubassembly including a common conductive ground member with.[.portions.]. .Iadd.a first portion .Iaddend.of the ground member.Iadd.being .Iaddend.disposed .Iadd.generally equidistantly.Iaddend.between .Iadd.an adjacent first two of .Iaddend.said secondterminals .Iadd.and radiating outwardly in a first plane that intersectsa line extending generally parallel to said mating axis and centrallylocated with respect to said second terminals and a second portion ofsaid ground member being disposed generally equidistantly between anadjacent second two of said second terminals and radiating outwardly ina second plane that intersects said line.Iaddend., and insulation meansdisposed between said conductive ground member and said secondterminals; an opening in said housing communicating with said matingface and into which said conductive ground subassembly is inserted; andsaid outer conductive shield is mechanically and electrically connectedto said common conductive ground member.
 19. The electrical connector ofclaim 18 wherein said conductive ground subassembly is positioned withinsaid outer conductive shield member.
 20. The electrical connector ofclaim 18 wherein said opening permits insertion of said groundsubassembly along an axis generally parallel to said mating axis..Iadd.21. In a shielded input/output electrical connector for mountingto a printed circuit board having electrically conductive signal andground traces thereon and for mating with another electrical connectoralong a mating axis, said shielded connector including a dielectrichousing having a mating face generally transverse to said mating axis,an outer conductive shield member generally surrounding a region of thehousing for mating with said another electrical connector and forinterconnection to at least one of said ground traces on said printedcircuit board, at least three high speed terminals defining a firstarray of terminals in said region of the housing within said shieldmember, and a plurality of low speed terminals defining a second arrayof terminals in said region of the housing separate from said firstarray of terminals, wherein the improvement comprises:said first arrayof terminals defining a generally circular area; shielding means withinsaid generally circular area including a plurality of conductive planesextending radially outwardly from the center of said circular areabetween respective adjacent ones of said at least three high speedterminals, each of said three high speed terminals being unshielded bysaid shielding means in a direction radially outward from said centerbetween its adjacent planes; and access means in said housing forpermitting insertion of a portion of said shielding means through anouter surface of said housing for permanent retention therein. .Iaddend..Iadd.22. In a shielded input/output electrical connector as set forthin claim 21, including four of said high speed terminals spacedequidistant about the center of said circular area, and said conductiveplanes form a cross configuration. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. In a shieldedinput/output electrical connector as set forth in claim 21, wherein saidouter conductive shield member is mechanically and electricallyconnected to said shielding means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. In a shieldedinput/output electrical connector as set forth in claim 23, wherein saidouter conductive shield member is located about three sides of saidfirst array of terminals. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. In a shielded input/outputelectrical connector as set forth in claim 21, further including aconductive member on said connector for mechanically and electricallyinterconnecting said conductive planes to another of said ground traces..Iaddend. .Iadd.26. In a shielded input/output electrical connector asset forth in claim 21, further including conductive connecting means formechanically and electrically interconnecting said shielding means toanother of said ground traces. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. In an electricalconnector assembly having a mating axis, said connector assembly havinga dielectric housing means and at least three terminals defining aterminal array in a mating region, each of said three terminals having amating portion, wherein the improvement comprises:a first shieldingmeans lying in a first plane extending between said mating portions ofan adjacent first two of said terminals and a second shielding meanslying in a second plane extending between said mating portions of anadjacent second two of said terminals, said first and second planesintersecting in a line that extends generally parallel to said matingaxis; and access means in said housing means for permitting insertion ofat least a portion of said first and second shielding means through anouter surface of said housing means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. In anelectrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 27, wherein saidfirst and second shielding means form a cross configuration. .Iaddend..Iadd.29. In an electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 28wherein said connector assembly includes four of said terminals spacedequidistant from said line. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. In an electricalconnector assembly as set forth in claim 27, wherein said connectorassembly includes an outer conductive shield member generallysurrounding a mating region of said connector assembly, said outerconductive shield member being mechanically and electrically connectedto said first and second shielding means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. In anelectrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 27, wherein saidfirst and second shielding means are formed of a unitary member..Iaddend. .Iadd.32. In an electrical connector having a mating axis,said electrical connector having a dielectric housing and at least threeterminals, each of said three terminals having a mating portion, whereinthe improvement comprises: a group of substantially identical ground andterminal arrays, each array having a terminal and a ground means wherebysaid group has a plurality of terminals and a plurality of ground means,a portion of said ground means in each array being adjacent said matingportion of said terminal in said array, the mating portion of saidterminal in each array being substantially closer to the portion of saidground means of said array that the to mating portion of an adjacentterminal, said plurality of said ground means forming a generally closedshape about a central axis, and said terminals and said ground meansbeing disposed generally equidistantly from said central axis with saidportion of each ground means of an array being positioned between saidcentral axis and the terminal of said array. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. Theelectrical connector of claim 32 wherein said electrical connectorincludes four terminals with each of said four terminals having a mainportion, said group of substantially identical ground and terminalarrays includes said four terminals, and wherein said ground andterminal arrays are symmetrically disposed about said central axis..Iaddend. .Iadd.34. The electrical connector of claim 32 wherein saidterminals are located within said closed shape. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. Theelectrical connector of claim 32 wherein said closed shape is formed ofa unitary member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. In an electrical connector havinga mating axis, said electrical connector having a dielectric housing andat least three terminals, each of said three terminals having a matingportion, wherein the improvement comprises: a group of substantiallyidentical ground and terminal arrays including said at least threeterminals, each array having one of said terminals and a ground meanswhereby said group has a plurality of terminals and a plurality ofground means, a portion of said ground means in each array being arcuateand adjacent said mating portion of said terminal in said array, themating portion of said terminal in each array being substantially closerto the portion of said ground means of said array than to the matingportion of an adjacent terminal, said ground and terminal arrays beingdisposed about a central axis and said ground means being disposedgenerally equidistantly from said central axis with said portion of eachground means of an array being positioned between said central axis andthe terminal of said array. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. The electrical connectorof claim 36 wherein said plurality of said ground means form a generallyclosed shape positioned about said central axis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. Theelectrical connector of claim 37 wherein said terminals are locatedwithin said closed shape. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. The electrical connectorof claim 37 wherein said closed shape is formed of a unitary member..Iaddend. .Iadd.40. In a shielded electrical connector for mating withanother electrical connector along a mating axis, said shieldedconnector having a dielectric housing with a portion of said housingbeing a unitary piece, an outer conductive shield member generallysurrounding a mating portion of said housing, a plurality of terminalreceiving openings in said housing for receiving terminals therein, anda plurality of terminals positioned in said openings, wherein theimprovement comprises:a one-piece common conductive ground membermounted to said housing with portions of the ground member disposedbetween the individual terminals a unitary piece, said common groundmember including a portion thereof having passage means therethrough forreceiving and surrounding a ground terminal; and access means in saidhousing for permitting insertion of said one-piece ground member throughan outer surface of said housing, said access means permitting insertionof said one-piece ground member along an axis generally parallel to saidmating axis and into said unitary piece. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. Theelectrical connector of claim 40 wherein said portion of the commonground member for receiving the ground terminal is located centrally ofthe common ground member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. The electrical connectorof claim 41 wherein said common ground member includes a plurality ofspoke-like portions radiating outwardly of the ground terminal anddisposed between respective adjacent ones of the terminals. .Iaddend..Iadd.43. The electrical connector of claim 42 wherein said commonground member has peripheral portions joining the distal ends of thespoke-like portions whereby the common ground member surrounds each ofthe terminals. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. The electrical connector of claim 2wherein said outer conductive shield member is mechanically andelectrically connected to said conductive ground member. .Iaddend..Iadd.45. The electrical connector of claim 44 further comprisingstaking means for mechanically and electrically securing the conductiveground member to the outer shield member. .Iaddend.